Gateway Selection Using Historical Mobility Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication networks face inefficiencies in managing traffic and signaling load due to subscriber movement, as existing mechanisms do not account for user mobility and traffic patterns, leading to suboptimal gateway selection and increased transport costs.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method for intelligent gateway selection based on historical mobility patterns, where network nodes determine suitable attachment entities for user equipment by analyzing stored data on traffic volume and location history, allowing for the selection of local or central gateways that align with expected traffic generation points, even if distant from the initial attachment location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a local gateway is selected close to the mobile terminal's initial attachment location, then transport costs are reduced for static subscribers, but transport paths become very long for mobile users who move away from the initial location

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport costsVSAvoidtransport path length
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway selection is made dynamic by considering the user's mobility state and movement patterns. The system adapts the gateway selection based on whether the user is static or mobile, and for mobile users, it predicts future locations to select an optimal gateway that minimizes transport path length throughout the user's journey, not just at the initial attachment point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of user mobility patterns and predicted movement trajectories before finalizing gateway selection. By anticipating where mobile users will move to, the network can pre-select a gateway location that optimizes transport paths for the user's expected journey, rather than just the initial attachment location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If gateway selection is based on initial attachment location only, then the selection process is simple, but it does not account for user mobility and expected traffic volumes at different locations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegateway selection process complexityVSAvoidadaptability to user mobility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor user movement patterns, location changes, and traffic volumes at different locations. This feedback is continuously used to adjust and optimize gateway selection, enabling the system to adapt to mobile users while maintaining a manageable selection process through automated decision-making based on collected data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces intermediary elements such as mobility management entities and location servers that mediate between the user's movement and the gateway selection process. These intermediaries collect mobility data, analyze patterns, and make intelligent gateway selection decisions, bridging the gap between simple location-based selection and complex mobility-aware selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If tracking area update signaling is implemented for all subscriber movements, then network can track mobile users accurately, but enormous strain is placed on Radio and Core networks during peak commuting times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser location tracking accuracyVSAvoidnetwork signaling capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial tracking area update signaling by selectively updating user locations only when necessary - such as when users cross significant geographical boundaries or when mobility patterns indicate a need for gateway reselection. This reduces the frequency of signaling events during peak times while maintaining adequate tracking accuracy for mobile users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuous tracking area updates for all movements, the system implements periodic location reporting based on user mobility patterns and network conditions. During peak commuting times, the system reduces update frequency for users with predictable movement patterns, thereby reducing signaling strain while maintaining acceptable location awareness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2417785B1Optimizing communication traffic transport
Publication Date: 2016.11.02 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2417785B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2417785B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2417785B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a solution for handling mobility and attachment of users in a wireless communication network (10). User equipment (1) is connected logically to an attachment node (14) at initial attachment and this attachment is determined from an analysis of stored historical mobility patterns of the user equipment. For instance, a mobility management device may be responsible for handling the attachment and for handling the determination of suitable attachment node, e.g. a gateway (5, 7, 8).